AP The MORNING WIRE by Sarah Naffa - January 03, 2024 - The killing of a senior Hamas figure in Beirut sparks worries of a wider regional conflict; Trump appeals a 2024 primary ballot ruling; and a suburban backlash is growing over the arrival of bused migrants.

 

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By Sarah Naffa January 03, 2024

In the news today: The killing of a senior Hamas figure in Beirut sparks worries of a wider regional conflict; Trump appeals a 2024 primary ballot ruling; and a suburban backlash is growing over the arrival of bused migrants. Also, a look at how Native Hawaiians are preserving a sacred salt. People stand outside a building after an explosion Tuesday in Beirut, Lebanon. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla) ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR Israel on alert for possible Hezbollah response after senior Hamas leader is killed in Beirut strike Israel was on high alert for an escalation with Hezbollah on Wednesday after one of the top leaders of the Palestinian Hamas was killed in a strike in Beirut that was widely blamed on Israel and heightened the risk of a broader Middle East conflict. Read more.

Why this matters: Saleh Arouri, the most senior Hamas figure killed since the war with Israel began, was a founder of the group’s military wing. His death could provoke major retaliation by Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah militia. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has already vowed to strike back against any Israeli targeting of Palestinian officials in Lebanon. Hezbollah and the Israeli military have been exchanging fire almost daily over the Israeli-Lebanese border since Israel’s military campaign in Gaza began. But so far, the Lebanese group has appeared reluctant to escalate the fighting.

Related coverage ➤  A Hamas official killed in a Beirut strike had been on Israel’s hit list for years US intel confident militant groups used largest Gaza hospital in campaign against Israel: AP source South Africa’s genocide case against Israel sets up a high-stakes legal battle at the UN’s top court POLITICS Trump appeals Maine ruling barring him from ballot for his role in the U.S. Capitol insurrection Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday appealed a ruling by Maine’s secretary of state barring him from the state’s primary ballot over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Read more.

Why this matters: Trump is expected to soon appeal a similar ban by the Colorado Supreme Court. That appeal would go to the U.S. Supreme Court, while Shenna Bellows’ action in Maine is being appealed to a Maine Superior Court. Trump’s appeal on Tuesday argues that Bellows abused her discretion and relied on “untrustworthy evidence.” Bellows reiterated to The Associated Press on Tuesday that her ruling was on pause pending the outcome of the appeal. Trump lost Colorado in 2020, and he doesn’t need to win it again for an Electoral College majority next year. But he earned one of Maine’s four Electoral College votes in 2020 by winning the state’s 2nd Congressional District, so Bellows’ decision could have an impact in November.

Related coverage ➤ Lawsuit aims to keep Pennsylvania congressman off ballot over Constitution’s insurrection clause DeSantis and Haley will appear at next week’s CNN debate at the same time as Trump’s Fox town hall Biden and Trump are poised for a potential rematch that could shake American politics IMMIGRATION Some Illinois and New York suburbs are putting the brakes on migrant bus arrivals Nervous officials in suburbs and outlying cities near Chicago and New York are giving migrants arriving from the southern border a cold shoulder amid attempts to circumvent restrictions on buses in those two cities, opening a new front in response to efforts led by Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to pay for migrants to leave his state. Read more.

Why this matters: The suburban backlash comes amid unprecedented arrivals, with illegal entries topping 10,000 several days last month. For months, big-city Democratic mayors including Eric Adams of New York and Brandon Johnson of Chicago have pleaded with the Biden administration for help addressing the influx. Abbott has bused more than 80,000 migrants from Texas to Democratic-led cities since 2022, and some buses have also arrived from other states. Abbott’s administration also recently began chartering planes as Chicago and New York started cracking down on buses making unscheduled drop-offs.

Related coverage ➤ Trump’s vows to deport millions are undercut by his White House record and one family’s story Biden administration asks Supreme Court to allow border agents to cut razor wire installed by Texas Texas has arrested thousands on trespassing charges at the border. Illegal crossings are still high ADVERTISEMENT HAPPENING TODAY A new law in New York City bans vendors from the Brooklyn Bridge. IN OTHER NEWS Indictment updated: Prosecutors say Sen. Menendez cashed in by linking Qatari royal family member with NJ businessman Lobbying charges: Justice Dept. accuses 2 political operatives of hiding foreign lobbying during Trump administration Harvard resignation: Harvard president’s resignation highlights new conservative weapon against colleges US economy: US national debt hits record $34 trillion as Congress gears up for funding fight Michael Skakel lawsuit: Kennedy cousin whose murder conviction was overturned sues former cop and Connecticut town Flight delays: Air Canada had the worst on-time performance among large airlines in North America, report says Newspaper shutters: 180-year-old newspaper in the US Virgin Islands to close ADVERTISEMENT TODAY IN HISTORY On Jan. 3, 1977: Apple Computer was incorporated in Cupertino, California, by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Mike Markkula Jr. In the image above, Joel Skolnick, a computer store manager in Cambridge, Mass., displays a memory board of an Apple II computer in 1978. (AP Photo/David Tenenbaum)   A look at what else happened in history on January 3 A CHANGE OF PACE A scene from "Mickey's Mouse Trap." (MM Trap LTD via AP) Now in public domain, early version of Mickey Mouse to star in horror movies The earliest iteration of Mickey Mouse is on a rampage, barely two days in the public domain. Free of Disney’s copyright, the iconic character from “Steamboat Willie” is already the focus of two horror films. WATCH: Native Hawaiians preserve sacred salt patch One of the last remaining salt patches in Hawaii, on the island of Kauai, is being threatened by climate change. But the Native Hawaiian salt makers are finding solutions to preserve the practice for future generations. ADVERTISEMENT

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